Some of you know my family and I lived in California before we moved to Washington. But few of you know we also used to live in New Jersey. As a matter of fact, all three of our daughters were born there. One summer, my wife’s very good friend from Taiwan came to visit, and she brought along her two daughters. Then one day, out of the kindness of my heart (or my own lunacy), I decided to let my wife and her friend take an afternoon off, and go on a shopping trip together at the mall, while I took all five little girls swimming at our church’s pool on a very hot and sticky summer day. While we were there at the pool, we met some of our church friends. One family was so impressed, they asked me if I would also watch their two daughters (I think it was a joke). Without thinking, and thinking what is an extra two girls when I had already five girls, I said, “Bring it on!”
The phrase, “bring it on” is an informal phrase used to show that one is ready, confident, and willing to face a difficult task, competition, or fight. It signals that one is well prepared to take on whatever that is coming to him. But it also signals that one is ready to accept a challenge with boldness rather than fear.
The Psalmist in Psalm 46 wrote that he was ready to accept challenges with boldness rather than fear. He was ready, not because he had more training than anyone else, he had more experience than anyone else, he was gifted, or he was simply very good at what he did. He was ready because someone else was very good at what he did. Whatever was the challenge, God was his refuge and strength, and he knew God would help him. He knew that whatever was the trouble he faced, his God would come and take care of it. The Psalmist had no fear. Imagine living an entire life without fear. Let the troubles come. Bring it on. This Sunday, let us gather together, read Psalm 46 together, think together, and worship our God, who is in heaven. See you Sunday.
Your Friend
Alvin